Title 3. Comprehensive Plan — Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-201 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A planning commission shall prepare a plan by carefully and comprehensively surveying and studying:
(i)
the present conditions and projections of future growth of the local jurisdiction; and
(ii)
the relation of the local jurisdiction to neighboring jurisdictions.
(2)
A planning commission shall make the plan with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing the coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the local jurisdiction and its environs.
(3)
The plan shall serve as a guide to public and private actions and decisions to ensure the development of public and private property in appropriate relationships.
(b)
(1)
In accordance with present and future needs, a plan shall promote:
(i)
good civic design and arrangement;
(ii)
a healthy and convenient distribution of population;
(iii)
the health, safety, and general welfare of the local jurisdiction; and
(iv)
efficiency and economy in the development process.
(2)
A plan shall:
(i)
include any areas outside the boundaries of the plan that, in the planning commission’s judgment, relate to the planning responsibilities of the commission; and
(ii)
provide for:
(1)
transportation needs;
(2)
the promotion of public safety;
(3)
light and air;
(4)
the conservation of natural resources;
(5)
the prevention of environmental pollution;
(6)
the wise and efficient expenditure of public funds;
(7)
adequate public utilities; and
(8)
an adequate supply of other public requirements.
(c)
In addition to the requirements for the plan under Subtitle 1 of this title, a planning commission shall implement through the plan the planning principles set forth in § 1–201 of this article.
(d)
(1)
A planning commission may promote public interest in and understanding of the plan.
(2)
A planning commission shall consult with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional, and other organizations, and citizens about protecting or executing the plan.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-202 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A planning commission shall:
(i)
make and approve a plan; and
(ii)
recommend the plan to the legislative body for adoption.
(2)
A planning commission may recommend adoption of:
(i)
the whole plan;
(ii)
successive parts of the plan, which correspond to geographic sections or divisions of the local jurisdiction; and
(iii)
an amendment to the plan.
(b)
(1)
The elements of the plan may be expressed in words, graphics, or any other appropriate form.
(2)
The elements of the plan shall be interrelated and each element shall describe how it relates to each of the other elements.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-203 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
When a local jurisdiction initially implements the zoning powers under this division, the planning commission shall recommend the boundaries of the original districts and zones and appropriate regulations to be enforced in the districts and zones.
(2)
The planning commission shall make a preliminary report on the proposed districts, zones, and regulations and hold at least one public hearing on the preliminary report before submitting its final report to the legislative body.
(3)
The legislative body may not hold a public hearing or take action until it receives the final report of the planning commission.
(b)
(1)
A planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing before the commission recommends the adoption of a plan or any part or amendment to a plan.
(2)
The planning commission shall publish at least one notice of the time and place of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the local jurisdiction.
(c)
At least 60 days before the public hearing, the planning commission shall provide copies of the recommended plan and amendments to the plan to:
(1)
adjoining jurisdictions; and
(2)
State units, regional units, and local jurisdictions responsible for financing or constructing public improvements necessary to implement the plan.
(d)
The planning commission shall include in its report to the legislative body the recommendation of each unit and jurisdiction that comments on the plan.
(e)
(1)
A majority of the planning commission, by resolution, shall approve the plan or any part of or amendment to the plan.
(2)
The resolution shall refer expressly to the text, map, and other matter that the commission intends to form the whole or part of the plan.
(3)
The action taken shall be recorded on the map, plan, text, or other matter by the identifying signature of:
(i)
the chair of the planning commission; or
(ii)
the secretary of the commission.
(f)
An attested copy of the plan or part of the plan shall be certified to the legislative body.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-204 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Each local jurisdiction shall adopt a plan that includes:
(1)
the elements required under Subtitle 1 of this title; and
(2)
the planning principles set forth in § 1–201 of this article.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, only a legislative body that has adopted a plan may adopt regulations implementing the planning principles stated in § 1–201 of this article in the plan.
(2)
This subsection does not limit the Department of Planning from exercising any authority granted under the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(c)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a legislative body may adopt, modify, remand, or disapprove:
(i)
the whole plan or part of the plan;
(ii)
a plan for one or more geographic sections or divisions of the local jurisdiction; or
(iii)
an amendment to the plan.
(2)
The legislative body may hold a public hearing before remanding or disapproving and shall hold a public hearing before adopting or modifying:
(i)
the whole plan or part of the plan;
(ii)
a plan for one or more geographic sections or divisions of the local jurisdiction; or
(iii)
an amendment to the plan.
(3)
The planning commission shall hold a public hearing before submitting a new recommended plan to the legislative body, if the legislative body remands or disapproves:
(i)
the whole plan or part of the plan;
(ii)
a plan for one or more geographic sections or divisions of the local jurisdiction; or
(iii)
an amendment to the plan.
(4)
(i)
The recommendation of the planning commission shall be considered approved if the legislative body fails to approve, modify, remand, or disapprove the recommended plan in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection within 90 days after the date that the planning commission certifies an attested copy of the recommended plan to the legislative body in accordance with § 3–203(f) of this subtitle.
(ii)
Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, if the legislative body determines that there are exigent circumstances so that the legislative body is unable to act in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, by resolution the legislative body may extend the deadline in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph for no more than one 60–day extension.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-205 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies only to a local jurisdiction where the legislative body has adopted a whole plan or a plan for one or more geographic sections or divisions of the local jurisdiction.
(b)
A publicly or privately owned street, square, park, or other public way, ground, or open space, a public building or structure, or a public utility may not be authorized or constructed in the local jurisdiction or in a geographic section of the local jurisdiction until the planning commission has approved the location, character, and extent of the development as consistent with the plan.
(c)
(1)
The planning commission shall communicate its decision and the reasons for its decision to the legislative body or to the body that has jurisdiction over the financing of the public way, ground, space, building, structure, or utility.
(2)
The submission to the planning commission shall be considered approved if the planning commission fails to act on the submission within 60 days after the date it was submitted.
(3)
The legislative body or other body having jurisdiction may overrule the decision of the planning commission by a recorded vote of at least two–thirds of its entire membership.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 3-206 (2026)
Title 3. Comprehensive Plan
Subtitle 2. Development and Adoption
§ 3–206LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
When developing a municipal growth subelement of the comprehensive plan, a municipal corporation shall consult with the counties in which the municipal corporation is located.
(2)
A municipal corporation shall provide a copy of a municipal growth subelement to the counties in which the municipal corporation is located before approval of the element.
(b)
(1)
The municipal corporation shall accept comments from the counties for 30 days after providing a copy of the municipal growth subelement to the counties in which the municipal corporation is located.
(2)
Within 30 days following the close of the comment period under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the counties and the municipal corporation shall meet and confer regarding the municipal growth subelement.
(3)
On request of either party, the county and the municipal corporation shall employ an appropriate mediation and conflict resolution service to facilitate the meeting and conferral under this subsection.
(c)
(1)
A municipal corporation and the counties in which the municipal corporation is located may enter into a joint planning agreement in order to coordinate implementation of a municipal growth subelement.
(2)
A joint planning agreement shall consider the municipal growth subelement required under Subtitle 1 of this title.